Tag Archive for: headline

THANKS TO YOU, Arnulfo’s Yields Are Higher Despite Climate Change

Nicaragua’s rainy season is getting shorter, summers are hotter, and long-trustworthy climate cycles are less consistent.

So times are especially hard in San Francisco Libre, a region of the country where soil quality and lack of water has always caused challenges for farmers. CEPAD trains farmers to help them learn to overcome the environmental pressures they face.

“CEPAD taught me how to make banks and ditches with the soil to trap water and protect the plant roots,” said Arnulfo Jose Espinoza Gonzalez, who has been a farmer in the region for 13 years. “CEPAD helped me buy barrels to collect water, too. I’ve seen a big change in my plants.”

Since incorporating what he learned from CEPAD, Arnulfo said he is able to grow some crops for the first time, and his corn and plantain yields are rising. Support from CEPAD donors has meant more income for Arnulfo and his wife and five kids. He said he’s less worried about how they will care for their new baby. In a meeting with farmers from around the region, CEPAD and representatives from ACT Alliance led a workshop with farmers to identify the risks they faced and possible solutions.

Farmers were excited to learn about opportunities to seek funds from CEPAD and from local governments to install irrigation systems. Farmers in San Francisco Libre are committed to working with a changing climate to ensure they can continue farm work to provides food and income. CEPAD will be there with training to give farmers in harsh regions a shot at success. In the future, Arnulfo hopes he can quit his other job at a roof tile manufacturing plant and farm full time to earn enough to feed his children and pay for their school.

“I am a farmer in my heart,” he said. “I’m learning how to work with the climate to plant crops that will grow well, and my income from the farm is increasing a little bit. With God’s help, I will keep fighting.”

Arnulfo’s pride in his new plants reminds us why we keep fighting, too. Thank you for your continued support of CEPAD’s work! You make a difference in the lives of rural Nicaraguan families every day.

CEPAD Serves Hundreds of Families in Earthquake Aftermath

April’s earthquakes were the strongest in more than 40 years and devastated the livelihoods of hundreds of families. CEPAD, in partnership with the ACT Alliance, provided 480 food and supplies packets of 90 pounds each and hosted workshops for 400 people experiencing negative emotional impacts from the quakes. The program was based in the small city of Mateare, which experienced some of the strongest impact from the largest of the earthquakes. Read more

For Two Decades, Brentwood and Bluefields Work Together

The partnership between Brentwood Presbyterian Church and the pastoral committee APASUR in Bluefields has taken many forms in the last 21 years. This summer, both groups are recommitting themselves to the partnership, and the tangible results are already clear.

In June, a group of 36 people of all ages traveled to Bluefields to get to know the pastors of the committee, visit schools and churches, and simply share time together. At CEPAD, we believe partnership is more than a one-way transaction of financial support to a community — it’s a commitment to work together for radical transformation of both the physical realities of the two communities and the spirits of all involved. Read more

Student’s CEPAD Photo Wins Congressional Prize

Madeline Lynn, a recent graduate of Ursuline Academy in Dallas, won the grand prize for the 2014 Congressional Art Competition for Representative Pete Session’s district. Her gorgeous image is a composite of photos she took in CEPAD partner community Cañas Blancas last summer during her delegation trip with the Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church youth group.

Madeline’s work will hang in the U.S. Capitol building, and she will attend a reception for winners from around the country this month. Juan, the man in the photo, hosted Madeline in his home when she visited Cañas Blancas. She said she felt inspired by the way he related to his land and animals, which provide his lifeline. Read more

With CEPAD Computer Classes, Better Future Is A Click Away

Technology has been slow to reach rural areas of Nicaragua. So for five years, CEPAD’s Matagalpa office has provided affordable computer classes to students of all ages.

They can learn skills like word processing, how to use the internet, email, and spreadsheets. There are also advanced classes like computer maintenance. Hundreds of students have taken courses at the center to improve their chances of success in their studies and jobs.

“I couldn’t study computers in high school, and there aren’t any technology jobs in my community El Castillo, so I’m taking the class to be ready for university,” said Hellen Figueroa Escorsi. “ I want to study nursing, and I want to work to be able to help my family.” Read more

CEPAD Helps With Quake Recovery

By Damaris Albuquerque, Executive Director

Since April 10, Nicaragua has suffered two earthquakes and more than 580 aftershocks. The epicenters are primarily in the Momotombo and Apoyeque volcanoes, near Lake Managua. The towns and cities Nagarote, Mateare, Puerto Momotombo and Managua have been the most affected.The official reports state that two people died of heart attacks, 231 homes totally collapsed and another 2,408 homes were damaged. The government is Read more

Community Leaders Collaborate To Plan Cooperatives

 

“It’s because of CEPAD that we have come as far as we have, and it’s because of CEPAD that we’ll be able to continue on our own,” said Yalena Hernandez Serrano after a meeting at the Nehemias Center last week.

Yalena, from the Los Angeles community in Nueva Guinea, was one of 36 representatives from CEPAD’s partner communities who came to a two day workshop last week to learn how to navigate the forms and rules for creating an official association or cooperative. When the official partnership between CEPAD and these communities ends this year, the associations and cooperatives allow communities to Read more

Water Flows at CEPANA Thanks to Baltimore Youth

A donation from the Christian Temple CYF youth delegation from Baltimore, Maryland allowed CEPAD to repair the potable water system at CEPANA, our farm in the Matagalpa region. We are so thankful for this water, and for Christian Temple’s gift!

Water at CEPANA Farm

Potable water is now available throughout CEPANA, CEPAD’s farm. CEPAD’s Matagalpa director, Juan Carlos Palma, shows off the system.

 

The system has been out of commission for more than a year after thieves stole the electrical wiring necessary to make the well run and to carry the water throughout the farm. CEPANA provides a site for training farmers in sustainable agriculture methods as well as hosting delegations and other groups. Read more